Reimagining Hackney Museum: Empowering Communities and Collections

by | Jan 13, 2025 | 0 comments

Client: Hackney Council

Dates: 2023-2024

Budget: £2.6 million

Project: Business Planning and Operational Strategy for Hackney Museum’s Refurbishment

The “Reimagining Hackney Museum: Empowering Communities and Collections” project will transform Hackney Museum into a dynamic, community-centred space. Guided by three themes – Relevance, Proactivity, and Sustainability the project aims to create a trusted space that reflects and empowers the Borough’s residents, reduces environmental impact, and builds financial resilience.

A new permanent gallery, enhanced with new digital interpretation will take a chrono-thematic approach underpinned by eight core storylines that include unheard voices. These will amplify the stories of migration and settlement from prehistoric times to the present. This will enable school groups and visitors to explore Hackney’s diverse heritage interactively. The project also includes a refurbished community room and flexible event spaces to accommodate more and diverse activities, promoting greater community use and rental opportunities.

Alix Slater Consultancy worked collaboratively with Hackney Council to create a robust business plan to support their funding application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and support long-term self-sufficiency. The business model looked at operational efficiencies, expanding the retail offering, hires and the public programme, aligning with the museum’s mission to foster inclusivity, support community development, sustainability and having a responsible retail offer.